Primary Care Recruitment & Retention Programs in Massachusetts Nicole Watson Recruitment / Retention Program Specialist, Massachusetts Health Care Workforce Center Nicole.watson@state.ma.us
The Massachusetts Loan Repayment Program for Health Professionals National Health Service Corps TOOLS TO RECRUIT & RETAIN PRIMARY CARE PROFESSIONALS
The Mission The mission of these programs is to increase access to primary care by providing educational loan repayment as an incentive. + =
How these programs benefit you In addition to a salary, receive money to repay educational loans. Advance your career by working with a diverse population and health care workforce. Use your skills to improve the lives of the medically underserved.
The Catch You & the facility must qualify
What designates an area as underserved? Shortage designations are a way for communities and health care facilities to establish a need for health care professionals and resources. The federal government designates facilities and areas through two shortage designation programs Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) Medically Underserved Areas/Populations (MUA/P) Massachusetts-specific need designations being expanded.
4 Reasons Shortage Designations Are Important 1. More than 30 state & federal programs depend on the federal shortage designation to determine eligibility or funding. 2. Enhanced reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid. 3. State and federal loan repayment and scholarship programs for health professionals. 4. Funding preference for training grants.
How do I know if the facility I m currently employed at, or interested in employment at, is located in a shortage area? Visit the US Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration shortage designation page http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/shortage/ Contact us at MA-PCO-Shortagedesignation@state.ma.us
Many states have similar programs National Health Service Corps is a federal program and represented in most states and territories Many states have loan repayment or other incentive programs specific to the state or territory 2011
The Massachusetts Loan Repayment Program for Health Professionals A unique and rewarding experience that offers an opportunity to advance careers while providing a service to our most vulnerable residents Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers are eligible for up to $40,000, in addition to a regular salary from the agency Currently 9 LICSWs contracted through the MLRP Includes 3 new awards this year You contract to practice at the site for at least 2 years
Who is eligible? Primary Care Physicians (MD or DO) Family Medicine Osteopathic General Practice Internal Medicine Geriatrics Pediatrics Obstetrics/Gynecology Psychiatry Dentist General Dentist Pediatric Dentist Dental Hygienist Nurse Practitioner Advanced Practice Nurse Psychiatric Nurse Specialist Certified Nurse-Midwife Physician Assistant Health Service Psychologist (Ph.D. or equivalent) Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker * LADC 1 Mental Health Counselor Licensed Professional Counselor * Marriage and Family Therapist Registered Nurse Pharmacist *master s or doctoral degree with a major study in the specific field
What do primary care professionals give in return? A two-year service commitment to a qualified provider. This commitment can be part time or full time
There are 2 components to the Program The Components are A and C, with different stipulations Component A mandates that health professionals practice in a federally designated HPSA that matches their discipline Component C includes fewer and different disciplines, and allows practice in Massachusetts-specific high need areas vs. only federal HPSA
Number of Participants in MLRP 78+ (approximately) MLRP participants currently Applications are accepted beginning March 1 st Deadline anticipated in Summer
How do I apply for the Massachusetts Loan Repayment Program for Health Professionals? Visit http://www.mass.gov/dph/hcworkforcecenter for more information and click on Assistance Programs. Find us on Facebook at MDPH Loan Repayment, where people are posting questions and getting answers. Submit an application starting March 1 st
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship and loan repayment for primary care professionals serving in the neediest communities. An online job bank with thousands of available jobs at facilities throughout the commonwealth and across the country. http://www.hrsa.gov/loanscholarships/
NHSC Across the U.S. 29% Mental Health 25% Physician Nurse Midwife 2% 2% Dental Hygienist Dentist 12% 14% Physician Assistant Nurse Practitioner 16% More than 8,000 NHSC primary care providers are working in communities with limited access to health care nationwide. 17
NHSC Across the U.S. NHSC members are currently providing care to more than 7 million people in the United States Networking and other educational resources are available to support NHSC providers during their service Approximately 8,000 NHSC providers,10 million people, more than doubling the providers in service since 2008
NHSC Participants in MA * Total Count of Participants: 180 Total Count of LRP Participants: 160 Total Count of SP Participants: 20 Total number of Sites: 76 * Data is from
NHSC Loan Repayment Program Loan repayment of up to $50,000 for the first two years in addition to a regular salary from the facility Must provide primary care services in an approved Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) site as a full-time or parttime employee Participants may apply for additional assistance at the conclusion of their initial commitment
NHSC: contracts & extensions Initial Contract Full-Time 2 Years Half-Time 4 Years Half-Time 2 Years $50,000 $50,000 $25,000 3 rd year $20,000 initial contract $10,000 4 th year $20,000 initial contract $10,000 5 th year $10,000 $20,000 $5,000 6 th year $10,000 $20,000 $5,000 Total After 6 Years Service $110,000 $100,000 $55,000
Who is eligible for the NHSC Loan Repayment Program? Primary Care Physicians (MD or DO) Dentists (General or Pediatric) Nurse practitioner (primary care) Certified nurse-midwife Physician assistant Dental Hygienists Psychiatrist Psychologist (health service) Licensed clinical social worker Psychiatric nurse specialist Marriage and family therapist Licensed professional counselor
NHSC Scholarship Covers payment of tuition and required fees (tax-free), Some other tax-free educational costs (books, etc.), A monthly living stipend (taxable) After graduation, recipients are required to work one year for each year of received support as primary care providers in an approved practice site located in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) Minimum service requirement of two years
Who is eligible for a NHSC scholarship? U.S. citizen or national pursuing a degree to be: Primary Care Physicians (MD or DO): FP, IM, Ped, ObGyn; MedPed, Psych Primary Care Nurse Practitioners Physician Assistants Certified Nurse Midwives Go to: nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarship Full-time student at an accredited school Psychiatric Nurse Specialists Health Service Psychologists Licensed Clinical Social Workers Licensed Professional Counselors Marriage and Family Therapists Dentists (general or pediatric) Dental Hygienists
How do I apply for the National Health Service Corps? Visit http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/ for more information www.facebook.com/national Health Service Corps
Public Service Loan Forgiveness If you work full-time in a public service job, you may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness This Department of Education program began in 2012 http://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgivenesscancellation/charts/public-service 2011
Visit the Massachusetts Health Care Workforce Center for information on state and federal programs that can help recruit and retain primary care professionals in the Commonwealth. http://www.mass.gov/dph/hcworkforcecenter